Located in the Assembly Rooms in Bath’s Upper Town, this museum caters for both individuals as well as families with children. The Fashion Museum has a little of something for everyone who is interested in seeing various displays of clothing from bygone eras to modern day sportswear. Not only do the Assembly Rooms house various displays today, but they were used to host upper class events such as balls during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Main Attractions of the Museum
Some of the Museum’s main attractions include the four Assembly Rooms which are a Tea Room, a Card Room, a Ball Room and another known as the Octagon Room. The Ball Room is the biggest of the Assembly Rooms and it was used to host weekly dances and balls during the 18th Century. The Tea Room was used to host concerts as well as provide refreshments during events held at the venue. Visitors would fill the Octagon Room to listen to music on Sundays or play card games on other days of the week. Famous visitors to the Assembly Rooms included none other than Jane Austen and Charles Dickens, both of which made mention of these rooms in their writing.
Various Fashion Displays
Visitors to the Fashion Museum can view various displays of fashion items ranging from a 17th Century glove display to a wide range of other exquisite items. A Sport and Fashion display opened here on 4 February 2012 that gives visitors the opportunity to see what the trends were with regards to vintage sportswear. The Top Trends display makes use of vintage pieces owned by the museum which have in fact become one of the latest buzzwords in the fashion world when combined with today’s clothing. The oldest clothing item in the museum’s possession is a beautiful silver tissue dress which dates back to around 1660.
Upcoming Events at the Fashion Museum
Running from 17 July to 2 September 2012, the Jubilee: Dressing the Monarchy on Stage and Screen display will be opened to the public by none other than actor Keith Mitchell. This exhibition follows the British Monarchy as far back as 973, when King Edgar the First was crowned in Bath Abbey. Other actors included in this display include Jonathan Rhys-Meyers and Helen Mirren, who will be playing the part of Elizabeth the First. This is definitely a display which should not be missed, as it has a little of something to entertain the whole family. The Horrible Histories Workshop will be held on 15 August in the Tea Room which will give an insight into how crimes and punishments were dealt with during this era.
This museum caters for all ages an also caters for wheelchair access. Study facilities are available, but prior booking is essential. There may be a few weeks’ waiting period for those who wish to use the study facilities. The museum is open daily, with the exception of 25 and 26th December from 10:30am. Children are welcome, as there are also exciting programmes and activities that have been organised for them.
